Honoring the Sanctity of Life

Valley Harvest Church https://valley-harvest.org

Exodus 20:13

If you have your Bible with you, please open it to Exodus chapter 20. Actually, you can begin in Genesis chapter 1. We’ve been going through the Ten Commandments, and today we are looking at the sixth commandment. I find it most appropriate for us to look at the value of human life as we reflect on the commandment, “You shall not murder,” or in the old King James version, “Thou shalt not kill.” We’ve been looking at how the Ten Commandments are God’s blessing upon humanity so that we can thrive, flourish, and enjoy the life that He’s given us to the fullest. Life is sacred.

We must value every person as a sacred image-bearer of God.

As it was narrated for us earlier in Genesis 1:27, the very first chapter of the Bible, we see that human beings are created differently from the rest of creation. We are not just another mammal. Though we might share 97% of our DNA with chimpanzees, we are not chimpanzees. We are made in the image of God. Genesis 1:27 says, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

This gets to the heart of the sixth commandment about not murdering. As I reflected on this, I became tremendously convicted about how often I, and I assume many of us, violate this commandment—not just in the narrow sense of physically taking a life, but in the broader sense.

When God created everything, none of the animals were said to have His image. Humans are uniquely designed to reflect the image of God. But what does it mean to be made in God’s image? There’s a lot of debate about that. At its core, most theologians agree that humans are uniquely designed to reflect God’s love in relationships—to Him and to one another. We are designed to uphold moral integrity and fulfill the role He has given us as responsible caretakers of His creation.

Human beings are different from animals. We’re not just another advanced species that evolved to dominate the earth. No, God made it this way. He made us unique in how we reflect His love in our relationships, our moral choices, and our role as caretakers of His creation.

Human relationships reflect the depth of the triune God’s nature. Did you know that God is one God but mysteriously manifests in three persons? The Bible teaches this everywhere. There is clearly one God—no one can read the Bible and say it teaches there are multiple gods—but there are three persons treated as that one God. It puzzles the mind: the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. Before God ever created anything, there was perfect relationship within the Trinity. The Father, the Son, and the Spirit didn’t need anything else.

Human relationships reflect the depth of the relationship between the triune God, and that surpasses the basic communal instincts of animals. Animals can commune together, but they don’t have the depth of relationship that human beings are capable of.

So, how does this relate to the sixth commandment? It’s important because many of us give lip service to the idea that people are valuable. We say things like, “Everyone deserves life.” But the true, inherent worth of every individual as an image-bearer is often lost on how they make us feel. Isn’t that true?

We don’t always go around seeing everyone as an image-bearer of God, especially if they make us feel uncomfortable or uneasy. Yet God’s image in human beings is not dependent on how someone makes us feel. It’s not dependent on their actions, circumstances, or usefulness to society. You are made in the image of God, even though that image has been marred and broken. Every human being is made in that image, regardless of what they do or don’t do, or what circumstances they are in.

So, I ask: Do we truly see the image of God in everyone, or only in people who make life easy for us? How about the homeless person who treats your favorite park like their personal landfill? How about the drug addict hosting a one-person rave in the middle of the street to music only they can hear? Are they less made in the image of God than you are? How about the neighbor whose yard signs make you cringe, whose life choices make you wish for taller fences? How about the elderly man who once built our roads and fought our wars but now takes a little too long at the grocery checkout? How about the pregnancy that’s not on your schedule or where the father isn’t fit to be called “Dad”? How about the embryos created for your “perfect family,” but since you don’t need all of them, they’re tossed out like expired coupons?

You see, many of us unknowingly base our relationships on what people can offer us—whether it’s emotional support, comfort, or even the validation of our own beliefs. Deep down, we often value others in a subtle, transactional way, treating relationships as conditional exchanges rather than reflecting their true value as image-bearers of God.

Relationships and self-worth become conditional and transactional when we don’t have a robust, biblical understanding of the Imago Dei—the image of God. Without this understanding, we value people based on what they can do for us or how they make us feel. That’s the fallen nature inside every one of us.

But God’s love for all people is unconditional and self-sacrificial. He calls believers to love others not on the basis of convenience, comfort, or utility, but because of the inherent worth that comes from being made in the image of God.

How would our lives look if God treated us the way we often treat others—only offering grace, love, and forgiveness when it was convenient or easy?

Christ’s sacrifice affirms that people are so valuable in God’s eyes that He was willing to give His life for their redemption. That is radical love. It’s rooted in God’s nature, not in our ability to measure up. And therefore, life is valuable.

Murder violates the sanctity of life by undermining God’s authority over life & death.

Exodus 20:13 simply says, “You shall not murder.” When we look at this commandment, we have to remember that God is the Creator of life. Life and death belong to Him alone. No one else has the right to take life without His authority. In fact, this commandment in the Hebrew is only two words—“Lo ratsach”—which can be translated as “You shall not murder.”

Now, let’s be clear about what the word “murder” means in this context. The Hebrew word “רָצַח” (ratsach) refers specifically to the unlawful, premeditated killing of a human being, or what we would call manslaughter—when someone accidentally causes the death of another person. It’s important to note that this commandment is not a blanket prohibition against all killing, like some might argue when they use this verse to oppose capital punishment or even war. It’s about unlawfully taking someone’s life, violating God’s authority over life and death.

Why is murder wrong? Because life and death are under God’s authority, not ours. God gave life by putting the breath of life into human beings, and He alone has the right to take it away. That’s what makes murder such a serious sin—it’s stepping into a role that belongs to God alone. When we murder, we act as if we have the authority to decide who lives and who dies, and that is an affront to God’s sovereignty.

Most people don’t consistently think about life and death in the deep, holistic way that God’s Word presents it. We tend to think of life as merely the physical existence of a person, but the Bible speaks of more than just physical life and death. The Bible talks about three forms of death: physical death, spiritual death, and eternal death.

First, there’s physical death, which we all understand as the end of our earthly existence. It’s something that will happen to all of us, and the Bible teaches that it’s a consequence of sin entering the world. Life is fragile, and it will eventually come to an end for every one of us. But there’s more to death than just the physical aspect.

Second, there’s spiritual death, which is alienation from God. Spiritual death is like a withering soul, detached from the source of life. Picture a plant that’s been pulled from the soil—it may still have some green in it for a little while, but it’s already dead because it’s been cut off from its roots. That’s what spiritual death is like. We may physically exist, but if we are cut off from God, we are dead in our sins. Ephesians 2:1-2 says, “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” Without a relationship with God, we are all spiritually dead, and this is the state of every human being apart from Christ.

Third, there’s eternal death, which is the ultimate consequence of remaining separated from God. Eternal life is not just about living forever—it’s about the fullness of life in God’s presence, where we are more ourselves than we ever were before, perfected in Christ. On the other hand, eternal death is the dreadful consequence of being eternally separated from God in loneliness and isolation, cut off from the source of life forever.

So when we talk about murder, we need to understand that it’s not just about cutting short someone’s physical life—it’s about cutting off their opportunity to experience spiritual life and reconciliation with God. Murder robs a person of the chance to turn to Christ and be saved. It’s not just a crime against the person; it’s an affront to their Creator. When we take someone’s life unlawfully, we are essentially saying that their life is not valuable, that they are not worth the time that God has given them, and we take matters into our own hands, as if God’s timing and purposes are not good enough.

Murder cuts off the potential for that person to turn to Christ, impacting not just their present but their eternal destiny. This is why murder is such a grave sin—it’s not just the ending of a life, but the robbing of a soul’s opportunity to know God.

Honoring the sanctity of life means addressing the root causes of hatred & anger.

When we think about honoring the sanctity of life, we often think about the physical act of murder, and rightly so. But Jesus takes it a step further. He expands the commandment beyond the physical act of murder and focuses on the heart condition behind it. In Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus says, “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder,’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.”

Now, let’s unpack that. Jesus is saying that the commandment against murder isn’t just about the physical act of killing someone. It starts in the heart. Hatred, bitterness, and anger are the root causes of murder. And if we harbor those things in our hearts, we are violating the sixth commandment, even if we don’t actually take someone’s life.

Think about it—how often have we been angry with someone to the point where we devalue them in our hearts? Maybe we don’t say it out loud, but in our minds, we think of them as less than human, or at least less worthy of respect and love. Jesus is saying that when we allow ourselves to think that way, we’re guilty of violating the sanctity of life. In fact, He equates this kind of anger and contempt with murder.

Jesus even gets specific about the words we use. He says that if you call someone “good-for-nothing” or “fool,” you’re liable to the fiery hell. Why? Because those words reveal what’s going on in our hearts. When we use those kinds of insults, we’re essentially saying, “You are not worthy of life. You are not worthy of dignity.” And that’s where murder begins—in the devaluation of a person in our hearts.

Now, not all anger is sinful. God Himself gets angry, and there is such a thing as righteous anger. But the kind of anger Jesus is talking about here is the kind that leads to bitterness and contempt. It’s the kind of anger that leads us to view others as obstacles to our happiness, rather than as fellow image-bearers of God. When we allow anger to simmer in our hearts, it leads us to devalue others, and in doing so, we violate the sanctity of life.

This is why it’s so important for us to cultivate hearts of love and forgiveness. If we don’t deal with the anger and bitterness inside us, it will eventually come out in how we treat others. And even if it doesn’t lead to physical violence, it still dishonors God’s command to honor life.

Jesus is teaching us here that the sixth commandment isn’t just about avoiding murder—it’s about the heart. It’s about how we view and treat others, even in the privacy of our own minds and hearts. And if we harbor anger, bitterness, or contempt towards others, we are dishonoring the sanctity of life, even if we never lift a finger against them.

The Apostle John echoes this in 1 John 3:15, where he says, “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” John is saying that hatred is equivalent to murder in God’s eyes. And just as a murderer is cut off from eternal life, so is someone who harbors hatred in their heart. That’s how serious this is.

Honoring the sanctity of life means dealing with the heart attitudes that lead to harm. It’s not enough to just avoid physical violence—we must also guard our hearts against the kind of anger and bitterness that devalues others. If we truly want to honor life, we have to start by addressing the root causes of hatred and anger in our own hearts.

And Jesus doesn’t just leave us with that warning—He gives us a way forward. In Matthew 5:9, He says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Honoring the sanctity of life means actively pursuing peace and reconciliation, not just avoiding harm. It means taking the first step in healing broken relationships, even when it’s hard. That’s what it looks like to truly honor life—not just refraining from murder, but seeking peace, reconciliation, and restoration in our relationships.

So, when we think about the commandment, “You shall not murder,” we have to think deeper than just the act of taking a life. We have to ask ourselves, “Am I harboring anger or bitterness towards someone? Am I devaluing someone in my heart?” If the answer is yes, then we need to repent and seek God’s help to cultivate a heart of love, forgiveness, and peace. Because that’s what it truly means to honor the sanctity of life.

Sometimes God authorizes the lawful taking of life by governing authorities as justice.

Now, I want to address a point that often gets misunderstood. While God commands us not to murder, there are instances where He does authorize the lawful taking of life by governing authorities. This is where we need to make a distinction between murder and justice.

In the Bible, God sets up laws for capital punishment in certain situations. One of the clearest examples is found in Genesis 9:6, where God says, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed, for in the image of God He made man.” God establishes here that human life is so valuable because we are made in His image, that to unlawfully take a life—murder—requires the most serious consequence: life for life.

God grants authority to human institutions to enact justice, including capital punishment, as a response to serious sins like murder. This is not the same thing as murder, because it is done under God’s authority and within a lawful framework, where the governing authority has the responsibility to execute justice. We see this also in Romans 13:1,4, where Paul says, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God… But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”

What does Paul mean when he says, “bear the sword”? He is talking about the government’s God-given right to enact justice, even if that includes capital punishment. God has given governing authorities the responsibility to maintain justice in society, and in some cases, that includes the lawful taking of life for crimes like murder. But it’s important to note that this is a serious, weighty responsibility. It’s not something that should be done lightly or carelessly.

When the government exercises capital punishment, it must be done with great care, reverence, and a commitment to reflecting God’s justice, not human revenge. The government is meant to be a servant of God, an agent of justice. But as we all know, not every government operates perfectly, and not every government reflects God’s justice well. Even so, God has allowed these governing authorities to exist for the sake of maintaining order and justice.

Capital punishment, then, is not a violation of the sixth commandment because it is done under God’s authority and according to His standards of justice. It is meant to be a deterrent to evil and a way to maintain justice in a fallen world. But again, it must be handled with great care, because human life is precious, and God values justice deeply.

So, while we are commanded not to murder, there is a place for capital punishment in God’s design for justice, but only when it is carried out lawfully and justly by those whom God has placed in authority.

We are called to actively preserve and protect life.

Now, my final point today is that we are called to actively preserve and protect life. The commandment “You shall not murder” isn’t just about refraining from physically taking someone’s life; it also calls us to be proactive in protecting and preserving life when we have the power to do so.

This means that when we have the ability to prevent murder or any form of unjust harm and we fail to act, we are in violation of God’s law. Look with me at Proverbs 24:11-12: “Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back. If you say, ‘See, we did not know this,’ Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?” This scripture makes it clear that we are responsible for intervening when we see life being threatened. We cannot turn a blind eye and pretend we didn’t know, because God knows our hearts. He knows when we’ve chosen apathy over action.

God has ordained certain roles in society—such as law enforcement, first responders, and even government—to protect life. As Christians, we should support those who work to save lives, and we ourselves should seek to protect life in all its forms. Whether that means standing up against human trafficking, caring for the poor, or fighting for justice for the oppressed, we have a responsibility to protect and preserve life.

Let’s not forget the gravity of this. If we have the power to do something to protect life and we choose to do nothing, we are in violation of this commandment. We have a moral obligation to protect the vulnerable, to stand up for the voiceless, and to defend the defenseless. Think of the issue of human trafficking that’s rampant in our world and in our nation. We have a responsibility to confront that evil. To be careless or indifferent to it is to violate the sixth commandment.

This also includes caring for the poor and standing up against systemic injustices that threaten life. But as Christians, we have to be careful not to swing to extremes. There was a time in church history when some churches became so focused on social justice that they lost sight of the gospel. They emphasized good works and helping others but forgot the transformative power of the gospel itself. We must not make that same mistake.

Yes, we are called to be salt and light in the world, and we must seek justice for the oppressed. But we must never lose sight of the fact that the gospel—the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ—must remain our central focus. Caring for others, advocating for justice, and preserving life are all extensions of the gospel, but they must never replace it. The gospel transforms hearts, and from that transformation comes the desire to protect and preserve life.

Now, I could give you many more examples of how we are called to protect life, but as we stand here today, nine days away from the 2024 election, I want to highlight one issue that stands out above the rest because of its immediacy and moral clarity: the issue of abortion.

While we are called to defend life in many forms, abortion represents a direct and ongoing assault on the most defenseless members of our society—the unborn. We are living in a time where the sanctity of life is at the forefront of the national debate, and this upcoming election will have profound consequences on whether abortion rights are expanded, restricted, or even codified into federal law.

We are called to preserve and protect life. The sanctity of life demands discernment, courage, and action in how we engage with the issues of our time. We must take seriously our responsibility to stand for life—not just with our words, but with our actions.

Abortion violates the sanctity of life, no matter how it is framed.

Abortion violates the sanctity of life, no matter how it’s framed. If human life begins at conception—and I believe it does—then it is worthy of the same protections afforded to human life outside of the womb. People will say, “It’s just a fetus; it’s just a clump of cells.” But let me tell you, that fetus is not just a cluster of cells; it is a baby.

Think about it: you and I are also clusters of cells. Is it okay for your parents to kill you? Of course not. We are all living, breathing human beings, and it is biologically indisputable that a unique human life begins at the moment of fertilization. The idea that life in the womb is somehow less valuable because of its stage of development or size is absurd. Does the unborn’s size disqualify it from being a person? Are short people less valuable than tall people?

Some say, “The unborn can’t think, can’t feel pain, or doesn’t even know it exists.” But let me ask you: is our value really based on our abilities? Are we going to say that a 1st grader is less valuable than a 12th grader because they’re less developed? Or that people with learning disabilities are less valuable because they don’t have the same mental capacities?

What about the unborn’s environment? Does the unborn child’s environment—being inside the mother—change their status as a person? Can a 7-inch journey down the birth canal suddenly transform a valueless human into a valuable person? That makes no sense. The environment doesn’t determine personhood.

And then there’s the argument that the unborn depends on the mother for survival, and therefore, it doesn’t count as a person. But newborns and toddlers still depend on their mothers for survival—does that make them less of a person? Or what about someone on life support? Should we be allowed to kill them because they rely on medical intervention to live?

These are all ways people try to frame the abortion debate, but no matter how it’s framed, abortion violates the sanctity of life.

Let me address a common argument: “What about rape, incest, or the life of the mother?” These situations account for less than 3% of all abortions, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute. Yes, rape and incest are horrific, but why are those things wrong? They violate a person’s body. Abortion does the same thing—except it violates the body of an innocent person. Putting a child to death for the crime of the father is an outrage. Abortions that are medically necessary to save the life of the mother are extremely rare, and even when they happen, they are tragic situations, not elective decisions.

What about the quality of the baby’s life? Some argue that children born into poverty or with disabilities would have a hard life, so it’s better to abort them. But let me ask you: because life is difficult, should we be able to kill our children? Because a child might struggle more, does that mean they’re not worthy of life? Should we let children born into poverty or abusive homes decide whether or not we should kill them? President Ronald Reagan famously said, “I’ve noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born.” That’s something to think about.

And then there’s the argument that the world is overpopulated, so we should limit births. But America has hit a 30-year low in our fertility rate. We’re not overpopulated; we’re actually underpopulated. So, who gets to decide which lives are worth keeping?

Some say, “It’s my body, my choice.” But what about the baby’s body? The body inside the mother’s womb is not her body—it’s the baby’s body. And no one has the right to take another’s life, even if that life is dependent on the mother for survival. Women should have reproductive freedom, yes—but reproduction has already happened. With the exception of rape and incest, a pregnant woman has already chosen to reproduce by giving consent to the act that led to conception.

Then there’s the argument, “Don’t like abortion? Don’t have one.” But tolerating injustice by saying it has nothing to do with you is unacceptable. That’s like saying, “Don’t like slavery? Don’t own slaves.” Just because something is legal doesn’t make it right.

Let’s not forget: prior to 1865, slavery was legal in the United States. Legal doesn’t equal moral.

My prayer is that you will think deeply about these things in light of Scripture, not just in the context of the current cultural moment. Christians must get their values from God’s Word. Life is sacred, and no matter how abortion is framed, it is an assault on the sanctity of life.

The sanctity of life demands discernment in how we engage in the upcoming election.

The sanctity of life demands discernment in how we engage in the upcoming election. As Christians, we have a responsibility to think critically and prayerfully about the policies and platforms we support. The issue of abortion is not just a political issue—it is a moral and theological issue that cuts to the heart of what it means to value life as God values it.

Let’s take a look at the Democratic Party’s stance. The Democratic Party advocates for unrestricted abortion rights—even up to the point of birth—all while claiming to be the party that defends the marginalized. Kamala Harris, for example, has said she wants to codify Roe v. Wade into law, but let me explain something: When she says that, she’s not being entirely truthful. You see, Roe v. Wade, as it originally stood, actually restricted abortions beyond the third trimester. While states found ways to get around that, Roe itself placed limits after the third trimester. But Harris and the Democratic Party at large are advocating for abortion without any restrictions at all. They want to remove all limits on abortion, even in the late stages of pregnancy.

If that were to happen, abortion would become a permanent feature of federal law. States wouldn’t be able to do much about it, no matter what their people believe. And this would make it much more difficult for pro-life advocates to challenge abortion laws in the future. Right now, we have federal laws and state laws, but if abortion becomes permanently protected at the federal level, it would override state laws that try to protect life.

This kind of unrestricted abortion—including up to the point of birth—is not only rare globally, but it’s considered extreme even among many pro-choice advocates. There are only about seven countries in the world that allow abortion this late in pregnancy, and that includes places like North Korea and China. Even people who generally support abortion rights are often uncomfortable with abortions taking place so late in pregnancy.

On the other hand, the Republican Party’s platform on abortion is shifting. They are trying to move the issue to the states, allowing each state to decide for itself whether to allow or restrict abortion. But here’s my concern: Moving the issue to the states doesn’t solve the problem. It doesn’t change the fact that abortion is unethical no matter where it is practiced. It’s not okay to practice it in one state and not another. The immorality of abortion doesn’t change based on geography.

Allowing each state to decide the legality of abortion is like kicking the can down the road. It doesn’t get to the heart of the issue. And I don’t believe that the Democratic Party will allow abortion to remain a state-by-state issue anyway. They will continue to push for abortion to be codified into federal law, and when that happens, states won’t have a choice anymore. The issue will be decided at the federal level, and it will be even harder to protect the unborn.

What about Donald Trump? Well, Trump has historically aligned with pro-life rhetoric, but he’s primarily a pragmatist. He uses the issue of abortion as a political bargaining chip to court evangelical and conservative voters. He has made decisions, such as appointing Supreme Court justices, that have helped overturn Roe v. Wade, but his stance on abortion has been inconsistent. Trump’s broader history reveals that he waivers on the issue and often makes decisions based on what will win votes, not necessarily what is morally right.

So, where does that leave us? How do we engage in this upcoming election as Christians who care about the sanctity of life? I know some people will say, “If you don’t vote a certain way, you’re not a Christian.” I’m not here to tell you how to vote, but I do believe that if you’re informed about the issues, it becomes clear that one platform is more aligned with protecting life than the other. It’s not about politics—it’s about valuing life in the way that God values it.

My hope is that you’ll think about this carefully. Don’t just listen to the noise of the culture. Look at these issues in light of God’s Word. The sanctity of life demands discernment in how we engage—not just in this election, but in all areas of life.

The pain and regret of abortion

Now, I want to address the pain and regret of abortion, because I know that many women carry deep regret, guilt, and shame over a past decision to have an elective abortion. It’s possible that you’re sitting here today, listening to this, and feeling very condemned. Maybe you’re thinking that I hate you, or that God hates you. I want you to know that my goal today is not to condemn you, but to speak to the truth of what abortion is.

God is rich in mercy, and He stands ready to forgive anyone who turns to Him. Jesus forgave murderers. Think about that—Jesus forgave murderers, and He is willing to forgive anyone who comes to Him in repentance. But He is also the one who decides the consequences.

As a church, we must extend the same compassion and support to those who have had abortions. This isn’t just a matter of political debate; it’s about restoring lives. There are so many women out there who are hurting, who believed a lie, who were told that abortion was the best or only option. And now, they are carrying the weight of that decision. As Christians, we are called to extend grace and compassion, not just judgment.

Our society, unfortunately, has become largely about convenience, hasn’t it? We worship the god of convenience, and that’s not just a problem outside the church—it’s a problem inside the church as well. It’s easy to point fingers at others, but who among us has never disrespected the value of another person’s life in some way?

The issue of abortion is about more than just legality or politics. It’s about real people—people who are hurting, people who need to know that there is forgiveness, there is hope, and there is restoration in Christ. And it’s also about our own hearts. It’s about recognizing where we’ve fallen short in valuing life as God does, and turning to Him for grace and forgiveness.

And that’s the issue—it was so important to God that rather than scrapping creation after Adam and Eve sinned, rather than just saying, “You know what? I made it so easy for you. You had one rule, and you can’t even obey that one rule,” He didn’t just scrap it all. He made a way for you to still be born, for you to still live, knowing that in time He would send His Son to pay for your sin.

Whether it was abortion, whether it was sexual immorality, whether it was murder in your heart, whether it was taking His name in vain, or blaspheming Him, being unthankful—whatever the sin may be—God loved you enough to send His Son, Jesus, to die for you. Why did Jesus have to die? Why couldn’t He just say, “Okay, I forgive you”? I mean, sometimes we have to forgive people without fully resolving the situation. If someone murdered one of my kids, I would have to forgive them, but even if they went to prison or if the government took their life, it wouldn’t bring my child back.

God doesn’t just forgive like that. He is a just judge, and He is holy and righteous. He can’t just ignore sin. He had to pay the penalty, and so He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross. Jesus is the perfect Son of God. He never murdered, not even in His heart. He never cursed God, and He always did what was perfect. He wasn’t a victim of the cross; He orchestrated it. They tried to arrest Him several times, but He evaded their attempts because it wasn’t the right time. But when the time came, He orchestrated His own arrest. The people didn’t know what they were doing, but He did. And He submitted to horrendous torture and abuse, dying on that cross, forsaken by His Father, as the sins of the world were placed upon Him.

Finally, He cried out, “It is finished.” Paid in full. And He made it possible for you and me to not be condemned before Him.

The Apostle John says in 1 John 3 that if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts. He knows everything. Brothers, if our hearts do not condemn us, then we have confidence before God. Do your hearts condemn you? If so, you can be free of that guilt and condemnation today, no matter how you have violated God’s law, because Jesus paid for your sin. But you have to trust Him. You have to believe that He is who He says He is, and you have to be willing to give Him your all, no matter how imperfectly that looks.

Jesus loves life. He’s willing to forgive. And there’s hope—there’s still hope because you’re still alive.

I’m going to pray now, and Matthew is going to come up. My friends, if you need prayer, I’ll be up here in the front row. I don’t like striking these issues with people, but it has to be done.

Let’s pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,
Jesus, I know that no political system or government is ever going to be perfect. Lord, we’re not voting for a pastor; we’re voting for the lesser of two evils, no matter who the candidates are. But we ask for Your wisdom. Lord, I pray for anyone here whose heart is feeling overwhelmed by past choices, by regret or shame. I pray in Your mercy, You would heal them. Thank You for life, and thank You that You have seen fit for us to be alive today. Jesus, I pray that You would make us right with You. In Your name, I pray. Amen.